BA/MS in Economics

In this course of study, students earn both a BA and MS degree in less time than it generally takes to complete the two degrees separately.

The BA/MS degree is intended for students who desire a more quantitative master's-level training in economics, with the aim of pursuing a career in rigorous financial analysis and in international economics; industrial economics; economics consulting; quantitative risk management in a financial institution; teaching at the university level; performing research at a government agency or think tank; or preparing to enter a PhD program in economics or a related business field.

Students begin this process by pursuing a standard BA in Economics track until their junior year, at which time those with a qualifying GPA may apply to the BA/MS track. Once accepted, students begin taking courses in the Master's of Science program.

Why pursue a combined BA/MS degree? The BA/MS degree emphasizes the acquisition of applied econometric skills that can then be used to perform business research, which is increasingly in-demand.The BA/MS degree also provides the most advanced training in economics possible, short of obtaining the PhD degree.

Degree Requirements

Interested students should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Assistant Director of the MS Program as early as possible in their decision-making process in order to develop a sequence of coursework that is appropriate to their interests and objectives. Students must meet the requirements of both the BA and MS portions of the program.

150 credit hours are required for the combined BA/MS degree.

105 credits at the undergraduate level, including a minimum of 18 credits in economics and all university requirements

36 credits in economics at the graduate level

If, after entering the BA/MS program, a student wishes to withdraw from the MS portion, it is important to note that only six graduate credits can be used toward the BA degree without special approval from the Dean of Undergraduate Education.

BA/MS Core Courses

ECO 505: Microeconomic Theory

ECO 507: Macroeconomic Theory

ECO 580: Econometrics I

ECO 581: Econometrics II

ECO 582: Computational Econometrics

ECO 526: Financial Economics I

ECO 561: Economics of Fluctuation & Forecasting

Substitutions and Waivers ECO 505, ECO 507 and ECO 576 may be substituted for ECO 405, ECO 407 and ECO 406, respectively, with the permission of the Director of the MS Program. A waiver exam may be taken for ECO 580 and ECO 581. (Please contact the Assistant Director of the MS Program for details.) Please note: Even with specific course waiver approval, a student must fulfill the degree credit requirements by choosing a graduate elective. A total of 18 undergraduate economics credits and 36 MS credits are still required for the degree.

Specializations BA/MS students may choose the general MS track or one of two specializations:

Financial Economics Track: This track requires five courses: 1) Advanced Financial Economics; 2) Risk Management; 3) Accounting; 4) Empirical Methods in Finance; and 5) Asset Valuation. Three elective 3-credit hour courses are also required to complete the degree. Students in this track are trained in sophisticated modern methods to price assets, assess and hedge risk, evaluate investment projects and understand the operation of the equity, fixed income, options, futures and derivative markets.

International Economics Track: This track requires five courses: 1) International Economics; 2) International Finance; 3) Topics in International Economics; 4) Topics in Microeconomics; and 5) Economic Development or Economies of East Asia. Three elective 3-credit hour courses are also required to complete the degree. Students in this track are trained in modern international trade and exchange rate theories, understand the link between foreign and domestic financial and goods markets, and should become acquainted with the idiosyncratic characteristics of the East Asian markets.